| Baron of Prestoungrange | |
| Creation Date: | 1189[1] |
| Creation: | Baronage of Scotland |
| First Holder: | Robert de Quincy, 1st Baron of Prestoungrange |
| Present Holder: | Mathew Wills, 15th Baron of Prestoungrange |
| Remainder To: | heirs and assignees |
| Status: | extant |
| Former Seat: | Prestongrange House |
| Motto: | "Amo Probos" (I love the honest) |
Baron of Prestoungrange (or Prestongrange) is one of the oldest aristocratic titles in the country, a title of nobility in the Baronage of Scotland associated with the lands of Prestoungrange, located near Prestonpans, East Lothian, Scotland.
The title was first created in 1189 when Robert de Quincy, a nobleman of Anglo-Norman descent, granted the lands to the monks of Newbattle Abbey. This original grant was expanded by Robert's son, Seyer de Quincy, to include rights to coal and quarry working down to the low water mark on the Firth of Forth, making Prestoungrange one of the earliest sites of coal mining in Scotland.[2]
The barony passed through various hands over the centuries, including the Kerr, Morrison, and Grant families. In 1746, the barony came into the possession of the Grant-Suttie family, who maintained it for several generations. The barony was associated with significant industrial activity, including coal mining, brickmaking, and salt panning, which continued until the 1960s.[3]
In 1998, the 14th Baron of Prestoungrange (Dr. Gordon Prestoungrange, Baron of Lochnaw) revived the Baron Court of Prestoungrange, focusing on preserving the cultural and historical legacy of the barony. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to the community.[4] [5]
The barony continues to play an active role in the local community, with the Baron Court of Prestoungrange supporting numerous cultural and historical initiatives. Including commissioning the Scottish playwright Andrew Dallmeyer to write a number of plays. The current baron - Mathew Wills, 15th Baron of Prestoungrange - continues the work started by his father. He manages the baron's court in collaboration with his brother, the Baron of Dolphinstoun, and their father, the Baron of Lochnaw.[6] [7]
The coat of arms associated with the Baron of Prestoungrange is described as: "Argent, a saltire Sable between four roses Gules, barbed Vert." The roses symbolise the barony's rich history and connection to the land. The family motto, "Amo Probos" (I love the honest), reflects the values held by the barony.[9]